Timepiece with sweep second hand and hand-setting means

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a timepiece with hand-setting means extending coaxially with the hand spindles, in particular for use in connection with a dashboard or car clock set or arranged in a control panel with inaccessible rear plate, which is equipped with hand-setting means to be brought into operative connection with the minute hand from the front end of the timepiece having a sweep second hand which, however, when actuating the hand-setting means is not affected during its motion and function.

United States Patent Haag et a].

[451 Aug. 29, 1972 [S4] TIMEPIECE WITH SWEEP SECOND HAND AND HAND-SETTING MEANS [72] Inventors: Albrecht Hang, Goehestr. 4, 7220 Dauchingen', Roland Siefert, 1m Herrengerten 6, 7737 Bad Durrheim, both of Germany 221 Filed: Au .1o,191o

211 Appl.No.: 62,562

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Aug. 20, 1969 Germany ..P 19 42 254.9 Aug. 29, 1969 Germany ..P 19 43 945.3

[52] US. Cl ..58/85.5 [51] Int. Cl. ..G04b 27/00 [58] Field of Search ..58/57, 63, 73, 85.5

[561' References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,803,300 8/ 1957 Warkentien ..$8/85.5 X 1,824,781 9/1931 LaBar ..58/85.5 UX

Pnmary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-George H. Miller, Jr. Attorney-Leon M. Strauss [57] ABSTRACT The invention relates to a timepiece with hand-setting means extending coaxially with the hand spindles, in particular for use in connection with a dashboard or car clock set or arranged in a control panel with inaccessible rear plate, which is equipped with handsetting means to be brought into operative connection with the minute hand from the front end of the timepiece having a sweep second hand which, however, when actuating the hand-setting means is not affected during its motion and function.

SCIaIImBDraWIngFigures PATENTED H 9 3.686.885

sum 3 or 4 Fig.6.

INVENTORI;

TIMEPIECE WITH SWEEP SECOND HAND AND HAND-SETTING MEANS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION possible to use a sweep second hand without impairlo ment of the motion of the latter during actuation of the hand-setting device. In these known constructions the innermost hand spindle constitutes the minute spindle, which carries the minute hand, whereas as sweep second spindle there serves a hollow spindle slipped over the minute spindle for carrying the second hand. Upon actuation of the central hand-setting device, the latter is coupled with the minute spindle.

In this known set-up the disadvantage arises that the cannon or pipe element of the second hand, i.e., the hollow spindle serving as the spindle for the second hand, has, due to its suspension, a relatively high momentum of friction, so that a high drive momentum is required for the timepiece.

For a car clock with conventional arrangement of the hands (innermost spindle is the spindle for the second hand over which a minute cannon is arranged), it is further known that the central hand-setting device comes into engagement during its actuation first with the second hand and then with the minute hand. On adjustment of the minute hand, the second hand is adjusted at the same time, owing to which the spindle of the second hand is connected with the respective wheel of the second hand and its pinion through a friction mechanism. Besides the increased cost of such arrange ment, there is the danger that on actuation of the handsetting device the second hand may be easily damaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other disadvantages are avoided pursuant to the present invention, which can be achieved in a timepiece of the above-mentioned kind, in that on actuation of the hand-setting device the latter spans the circle of revolution defined by the front end of the central second hand and comes rather solely in engagement with the longer minute hand.

It is therefore an important object of the invention to provide means contributing to a very safe, convenient and highly efficacious timepiece construction of the aforesaid type which permits certain regulatory manipulations and operational steps without disturbing accuracy and function of the timepiece.

Another object of the invention rsides in the provision of means resulting in a very precise adjustment of an effective part or parts of a timepiece without interference with the remaining vital and movable portions thereof.

Accordingly, the invention consists in the features of novel construction, combination of elements or parts, all as illustratively set forth in the ensuing description and drawings, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIGS. 1 to 8 shown various examples of construction according to the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical section through a first embodiment, which is depicted in FIG. 2 in front plan view.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section through a modified embodiment shown more schematically, whereas FIG. 4 is a front view of said modified embodiment.

FIGS. 5 and 6 indicate in similar views a further modified embodiment equipped with a reference hand.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a still further modified embodiment pursuant to the invention equipped with a trailing hand.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE Referring now more specifically to the attached drawings, there are shown and disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 2 a hand-setting knob 2 centrally arranged with respect to the clock crystal 1. Knob 2 carries on its shaft 3 a setting disk 5. Knob 2 is retained in its operative position by a coil or like spring 4. The setting disk 5 is essentially of U-shaped cross-section, the edge or rim 6 of the disk 5 extending toward the minute hand 8 and carrying an operative part, such as a serration 7. The minute hand 8 is carried by the minute cannon or pipe connector 9, while the second hand 10 is staked on or otherwise joined to the spindle I l of the second hand.

If the spring-supported hand-setting know 2 is pushed inwardly against the action of spring 4, the edge 6 of disk 5 spans and reaches over the second hand 10, and the operative adaptor or serration 7 entrains and drives the minute hand 8. If the hand -setting know 2 is then rotated and displaced, the minute hand 8 will be adjusted at the same time. Simultaneously the hour hand 12 is also adjusted via the change wheel mechanism, which is operatively connected to the hour hand (not shown).

With this hand adjustment the action and motion of the second hand 10 is not influenced.

The disk 5 is preferably made of transparent material and carries a marking I3, which replaces a reference hand. By way of the hand-setting knob 2, disk 5 with its marking 13 can be set to a certain point of the dial.

The second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 and uses a crystal 1 which is rotatably mounted in the hollow edge I7 of theclock casing or the like. Eccentrically to the hands of the clock there is arranged in the crystal 1 a hand-setting knob 14 which is held in its inoperative position by coil spring 15. A drive pin 16 is connected with this handsetting knob 14. The distance of the drive pin 16 to the center of the crystal is greater than the length of the second hand 10. If the hand-setting knob 14 is pushed inwardly through crystal 1 and is then rotated at the same time, pin 16 comes in contact with the minute hand 8 (shown in dotted line position), which can thus be adjusted. The adjustment movement of the minute hand 8 and hence of the hour hand 12 occurs without exerting any influence on the motion of the second hand 10. The crystal 1 in this instance may carry also a marking or indicator serving as a reference point, similarly to the marking 13 as disclosed in FIG. 2.

It is advantageous if the hand-setting device has a stop or abutment whereby the depth of depression of the hand-setting device is regulatable or limited, so that the latter comes in contact only with the minute hand 8, but not with hour hand 12.

In the further embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is fastened to the shaft 3 of the hand-setting device 2 through socket or bush 2! a setting or reference hand 18, which carries at its front end a pin or driver 20. This driver extends beyond the front or outermost end 19 of the second hand 10, so that on actuation of the hand-setting device driver 20 comes into operative connection with the minute hand 8 only in order to adjust or regulate the latter.

A still further mode of construction according to the invention is indicated in FIGS. 7 and 8. This construction employs a trailing hand 22, which is permanently associated with the minute hand 8 via driver or drivers 23. Hand 22 is rigidly connected with spindle 3' mounted in and passing through the crystal 1. This spindle 3' has at its forward end a front-end serration 25. The hand-setting knob 2' is likewise joumalled in the crystal at 24 and is held in its normal position by the spring 40pposite serration 25 the setting knob 2' is provided with interengageable means, e.g., in the form of serration 26, which cooperates with serration 25, as is well apparent from the drawing.

When the setting knob 2 is pushed inwardly according to the arrow A, it couples by way of the front-end serrations 25, 26 with the spindle 3' and hence by way of the trailing hand 22 with the minute hand 8, which can be adjusted in this manner.

it can thus be seen, that there has been provided according to this invention a novel set-up for operating and regulating a timepiece, the invention being distinguished from what is old and being described of the best mode contemplated of carrying out this invention; the scope of patent protection to be granted is defined by the ensuing claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A hand-setting device extending relative to the respective spindles of the hands of a timepiece, in particular for use in connection with a dashboard, car clock and like control panel, wherein a hand-setting knob operates via a hand-setting spindle the minute hand; characterized in that the minute hand is permanently coupled with a trailing hand which is provided with a driver, which reaches beyond the confines of the second hand, said trailing hand being mounted on said setting spindle which is operatively connectable with said knob.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said handsetting spindle is centrally mounted and axially displaceable with respect to said spindles of the hands of the timepiece.

3. A device according to claim 1, including a crystal located between said knob and said trailing hand, and a mount for said setting spindle forming part of said crystal and guiding said knob during actuation thereof. 

1. A hand-setting device extending relative to the respective spindles of the hands of a timepiece, in particular for use in connection with a dashboard, car clock and like control panel, wherein a hand-setting knob operates via a hand-setting spindle the minute hand; characterized in that the minute hand is permanently coupled with a trailing hand which is provided with a driver, which reaches beyond the confines of the second hand, said trailing hand being mounted on said setting spindle which is operatively connectable with said knob.
 2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said hand-setting spindle is centrally mounted and axially displaceable with respect to said spindles of the hands of the timepiece.
 3. A device according to claim 1, including a crystal located between said knob and said trailing hand, and a mount for said setting spindle forming part of said crystal and guiding said knob during actuation thereof. 